The MDiv alum has returned to Drew to strengthen her ministry
April 2025 – Drew Theological School Master of Divinity (MDiv) alum Crystal James T’21,’26, pastor of Union African Methodist Episcopal Church in Allentown, New Jersey, has returned to Drew to earn a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree in the Social Impact cohort.
James, who found Drew from a recommendation of an alum who was serving at her previous parish, knew she would return to Drew to earn her doctorate after completing her MDiv. “Having just been ordained an Itinerant Elder and given a pastoral appointment, earning a Doctor of Ministry was the next step in my journey,” she said.
As an MDiv student, James took a Topics in Ministry: Religion, Faith, and Finance for Social Impact class with the Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams, adjunct professor, president and CEO of Crossing Capital Group, and pastor of Bethel AME Church in Morristown, New Jersey—which had a profound impact on her mindset of ministry. “Before taking this course, I viewed ministry from the wrong lens,” she explained.
“I was not looking at ministry formation in the marketplace, nor did I understand how to bridge social capital. In the Social Impact cohort, I am challenged to solve a problem in my context and to determine why I am the one to solve the problem. During this process, not only am I gaining knowledge while understanding how to make a social impact, but I will also be making a social impact in the community I serve and beyond.”
James’ research for her DMin project explores a Theology of Place, focusing on the role of Black faith-based institutions in fostering leadership development among Black youth. “Historically, Black churches have functioned as vital communal hubs, prioritizing education and leadership cultivation,” she said. “I seek to examine the shift in this role over time. Through my research, I aim to investigate the impact of the decline of these communal spaces and analyze what has been lost in the absence of strong, faith-based community hubs.”
Drew Theological School is currently accepting applications through June 1 for the Courageous Leadership cohort, which commences summer 2025.
